the canal is lined with ancient oak trees. the roots of the trees form the banks of the canal. this is the view that continually meets the eye along the way, with the falling leaves that float downwards in autumn and couples and children taking long walks during the lunchtime hour.
grapes are the primary cultivation in this area. the majority of the farms were completing their harvesting while we were there. it is incredible to see the blood red mountains of grapes in the co-operatives. the renowned wine farms harvest and press by hand. it is a community activity that ensures that centuries of quality are not lost through technological mechanisms.
roman aquaducts can be seen everywhere along the route and in some cases even form part of the existing canal.
here calvin is getting ready to steady the boat once the water starts pouring into the lock. heavy duty ropes are tied around ballards to make the process easier.
as you will see in the next few photos, locks are the means by which boats are able to travel up or downstream. the canal spans hundreds of kilometres and ancient barges from the earlier centuries can still be seen on the canal. naturally the drop, or increase, in altitude needs to be accounted for as barges and smaller boats cannot go through rapids. massive metal gates lock the boats into an enclosed area that fills up with water until the water level is even with the rest of the canal passage. the doors of the lock then open and the boat can sail on.
this gives you an idea of just how huge these gates are. some of them are over 18 ft in height.
we are waiting outside this lock as there is no more room to accomodate us as well. most locks can accomodate up to five, 7ton boats.
leslie is positioning the boat to enter the lock. it is not easy to manoeuvre the boat as it does not have a bow thruster.
the canal is lined with ancient oak trees. the roots of the trees form the banks of the canal. this is the view that continually meets the eye along the way, with the falling leaves that float downwards in autumn and couples and children taking long walks during the lunchtime hour. 
grapes are the primary cultivation in this area. the majority of the farms were completing their harvesting while we were there. it is incredible to see the blood red mountains of grapes in the co-operatives. the renowned wine farms harvest and press by hand. it is a community activity that ensures that centuries of quality are not lost through technological mechanisms.
roman aquaducts can be seen everywhere along the route and in some cases even form part of the existing canal.
here calvin is getting ready to steady the boat once the water starts pouring into the lock. heavy duty ropes are tied around ballards to make the process easier. 
as you will see in the next few photos, locks are the means by which boats are able to travel up or downstream. the canal spans hundreds of kilometres and ancient barges from the earlier centuries can still be seen on the canal. naturally the drop, or increase, in altitude needs to be accounted for as barges and smaller boats cannot go through rapids. massive metal gates lock the boats into an enclosed area that fills up with water until the water level is even with the rest of the canal passage. the doors of the lock then open and the boat can sail on. 
this gives you an idea of just how huge these gates are. some of them are over 18 ft in height.
we are waiting outside this lock as there is no more room to accomodate us as well. most locks can accomodate up to five, 7ton boats.
leslie is positioning the boat to enter the lock. it is not easy to manoeuvre the boat as it does not have a bow thruster.
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